Health insurance DAK concludes new discount agreements

DAK concludes new discount agreements: Cost savings in the millions

DAK closes new drug discount agreements on January 1, 2011 for key drug compounds, including antibiotics and high blood pressure and asthma supplements. “The new contracts save us tens of millions of euros“, says Jörg Bodanowitz, press spokesman at DAK. „These can be directly re-flowed into the medical care of our customers.“

Quality of medication remains high
For DAK insured hardly anything changes: All customers receive high-quality drugs that meet all quality requirements. „Our claim is to ensure the best care for our customers“, says Bodanowitz. „Therefore, the pharmacist can choose between three drugs from different manufacturers for prescriptions for DAK insured per drug.“ As a result, the insured need hardly be prepared for new drugs. And if it does, the quality and effect of the new drug is identical to the previous one.

Highest spending on medicines
In 2009, the drugs were the second largest expenditure item of the DAK with 3.1 billion euros. „In order to reduce costs in this area, DAK concludes contracts with various pharmaceutical companies“, explains Bodanowitz. „This allows us to negotiate substantial discounts on many active ingredients.“ The new contracts have a turnover of 125 million euros. In total, discount agreements were concluded with around 46 manufacturers for a period of two years. Part of the contracts also apply to the DAK cooperation partner HEK. (PM, DAK, 21.10.2010)